UN Special Envoy to Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, said Monday’s
explosion near the Somali Presidential Palace, which killed at least
seven people, was shocking and saddening.

“Dr. Mahiga is shocked and saddened by today’s car bombing which
occurred near Villa Somalia in the vicinity of the National Theatre in
Mogadishu,” a UN statement said after the blast.

Initial reports
indicate that at least seven people were killed and many more wounded by
a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. However, the death has
risen to 10.

The UN official said there were also reports that a senior Somali security official may have been targeted in the attack.

“Today’s
assault was entirely unacceptable,” Mahiga said, adding: “Somalia has
made great strides forward on the path of progress and stabilization and
these cowardly terrorist attacks will only reinforce the determination
of the Somali people to persevere.

'At this sad moment, our thoughts are with family and friends of those injured and killed.”

Somalia
has been progressing on the path towards stability following
Presidential elections in 2012, which was conducted after a successful
process of selecting parliamentarians.

Brig.-Gen. Elmi replaces Chief of General Staff, Gen.
Abdulqadir Shiekh Ali Diini. The outgoing military chief has been
recognized together with his team for their role in beginning to rebuild
the Somali armed forces and in working to extend the authority of the
Somali state.

Under Gen. Dini’s leadership, the Somali National
Security Forces have become better organized and more effective as
evidenced by the successes they have achieved against the Al
Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab terror group across the country,” the AMISOM
officials stated.